Festivals and celebrationsEuropeSecular and civic
Nyansapo Festival
A French festival celebrating Black feminism and empowering diasporic women.
The Nyansapo Festival is a French gathering dedicated to Black feminism and the empowerment of diasporic women. Organized by the Mwasi Collectif, it gathers Black, brown, and mixed-race individuals for workshops, performances, and political discourse. First held in 2017 in Paris, the festival creates intentional spaces for marginalized voices and addresses intersectional identities.
When is Nyansapo Festival kept?
Nyansapo Festival is kept on intermittently since 2017.
The Nyansapo Festival is a French gathering dedicated to Black feminism and the empowerment of diasporic women. Organized by the Mwasi Collectif, the event brings together Black, brown, and mixed-race individuals for workshops, performances, and political discourse. First held in 2017 in Paris, it creates intentional spaces for marginalized voices while navigating complex sociopolitical debates.
Meaning and origins
The name Nyansapo comes from the Akan people of West Africa, where it represents a wisdom knot symbolizing intelligence, creativity, and patience. The organizing group, Mwasi Collectif, draws its name from African languages meaning daughter or rebel. The festival emerged from a history of French colonialism and aims to challenge systems like anti-blackness and capitalism through Afro-feminist practice.
Events and programs
The festival offers a diverse range of activities including educational workshops, discussion forums, and book clubs. Attendees engage with topics such as Black queerness, histories, and futures. Artistic expressions feature prominently through dance classes, theatrical readings, puppet shows, concerts, and DJ sets. Protests and training sessions are also integrated into the schedule to support activism.
Controversies and reception
The 2017 edition sparked significant debate when the Paris government accused the organizers of discrimination. Restrictions limiting attendance to Black women in certain spaces drew criticism from officials and media. The Mwasi Collectif defended these measures as necessary for safe spaces, clarifying that public areas remained open. Despite political pressure and threats of bans, the festival proceeded successfully and influenced academic discourse on race and activism.
Legacy and future
The Mwasi Collectif continues to operate as a social justice organization, focusing on Black liberation and education. While less visible on public networks recently, they remain active in mobilizing communities. The festival has become a reference point in global studies regarding intersectional identities and anti-racism. Future editions may occur, though no official announcements have been made beyond the 2026 event.
How Nyansapo Festival is kept
Participants join workshops, panels, and artistic performances focused on Black feminism and intersectional issues. The program includes discourses on queerness, capitalism, and history, alongside creative outlets like dance, theater, and music. Some events are restricted to Black women to ensure safe dialogue free from oppression. Public areas remain open to all, while private spaces facilitate targeted discussions. The festival combines education, art, and activism to empower diasporic communities and challenge systemic inequalities.
When and where
The festival has been held intermittently since 2017, with editions occurring in 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024, and 2026. Specific dates vary by year, with the inaugural event taking place in July. There is no fixed annual schedule, as the timing depends on the organizing group's planning and availability.
The festival takes place in Paris, France. Early editions were hosted at venues like La Général, a Political and Social Artistic Laboratory. Events span various locations within the city, utilizing both public squares and private properties to accommodate different types of gatherings and discussions.
What Nyansapo Festival means
The term Nyansapo refers to an Adinkra symbol known as the wisdom knot, representing intelligence, creativity, and patience. The festival embodies these values by fostering intellectual exchange and artistic expression among Black women. The name Mwasi signifies rebellion and femininity, reflecting the organization's commitment to challenging hegemonic structures and asserting autonomy within a post-colonial context.
Questions people ask about Nyansapo Festival
When is Nyansapo Festival kept?
Nyansapo Festival is kept on intermittently since 2017.
What is the Nyansapo Festival?
It is a French festival organized by the Mwasi Collectif to celebrate Black feminism and empower diasporic women. It provides a space for Black, brown, and mixed-race individuals to engage in education, art, and political discourse.
Why was the 2017 festival controversial?
The Paris government criticized the event for restricting access to certain spaces for Black women only. Officials claimed this was discriminatory, while organizers argued it was essential for creating safe environments free from oppression.
Who organizes the festival?
The Mwasi Collectif, an Afro-feminist political organization founded in 2014, organizes the festival. They focus on Black liberation and have released manifestos advocating for radical social change.
Where is the festival held?
The festival is held in Paris, France. Venues have included La Général and other locations across the city.
See also
AnnunciationA Christian feast marking the angel Gabriel's message to Mary about bearing Jesus, kept on 25 March.
Basque festivalGatherings of dance, sport and food that keep Basque culture alive far from home
PicnicA meal taken outdoors in a park or scenic spot, often shared with friends and family.
Running of the bullsRunners sprint ahead of loose bulls through barricaded town streets in summerGood reading and sources
- Paris mayor demands black feminist festival thatThe Guardian, Article
- Paris mayor demands black feminist festival thatThe Guardian, Article
- Nyansapo Festival on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Nyansapo Festival", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryParampara rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-08.
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